Start where the guided busway crosses Cambridge Road, Impington, opposite Railway Vue pub (CB24 9NP). Served by guided bus (Histon stop) and Citi 8. Parking nearby.
(S) Watching out for bikes, walk along the busway path towards St Ives.
(1) Past the jam factory, turn left through a gap. Continue straight on, emerging from the copse at a large fenced field, which you cross by turning right and following the path as it turns left beside the fence. Go right when you reach a hedge and turn left into the wood where the path divides.
(2) Bear left and walk through the trees until they open out and a kissing gate appears. Go through this and follow the fenced path, which is often muddy - poles helpful. (If it is too muddy, or flooded, retreat to (2) and take the alternative route to (3) below.) After two more kissing gates you reach a junction of several paths and take the path slightly left and beside a section of trim trail. Go through a gap on the right between two trees and head across the sports field to the children’s playground. Pass the goose sculptures beside the church and cross the main road.
Alternative route from (2) to (3) via (5) : Follow the middle path, initially under the wires and continue ahead to where the path turns right near a corner of the wood. Take the next left over a bridge and turn left alongside the wood. Then follow a clear track across the open field and beside it, between hedges or on their left, to a kissing gate. Go through this, pass Manor Farm and continue to a road left at Gretton school (5) and follow the main road to Girton church and the goose sculptures.
(3) Go down Church Lane leading to Woody Green from where you follow the right-hand footpath ahead, eventually reaching a junction where you turn right. A path leads up to a bridge crossing the A14 but you bear right on the broad bridleway to the point where there is a clump of trees on the left and a sign shows a footpath to Girton to the right.
(4) Follow this footpath which becomes Washpit Lane and ultimately High Street. It is joined by the main road in Girton, which you cross. Continue ahead to Gretton school.
(5) Turn right down Manor Farm Road and follow the public footpath towards Histon. The track turns left past the farm, then right and left again through a kissing gate. Take the well-used route, sometimes across open ground and sometimes by the right field edge. This leads you to an outsize kissing gate on your left.
(6) Here turn right and follow the narrow path opposite into a wood. Turn left after a seat then keep right until reaching the busway. Cross this and go through the gap in the hedge. Turn right and walk to and through a gate which leads to the community orchard. Aim diagonally for the gate in the left corner and turn sharp right on a path which takes you back to the busway. This leads to your starting point.(E)
